Learn How To Apply For Unemployment Claims With Our Guide

Learn How To Apply For Unemployment Claims With Our Guide

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As a general rule, federal unemployment extension programs are only available during periods when the nation is experiencing high unemployment rates. For unemployment beneficiaries wondering how to get an unemployment extension, we’re provided helpful information below.

Indiana Unemployment Resources

Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in Indiana

During times when the unemployment rate remains high, the United States Congress can vote to extend unemployment benefits for an additional amount of weeks. Unemployment benefits extension programs are made available through both the state and federal governments during periods of high unemployment, providing a higher level of economic security to those who are out of work.

Extended benefits are meant to help unemployment beneficiaries who have reached the time limit on their regular unemployment insurance benefits. The basic Extended Benefits program allows beneficiaries to have 13 additional weeks of benefits when the state is experiencing a period of high unemployment. Some states have also initiated a voluntary program to pay an additional seven weeks of extended benefits, totaling a maximum of 20 weeks.

Not all beneficiaries who qualify for regular benefits will be eligible for extended benefits. The weekly benefit amount of extended benefits will be the same amount the recipient receives for regular unemployment compensation.

Unemployment beneficiaries should note that they cannot apply for an unemployment benefits extension unless an extension program is available. An unemployment benefits extension only becomes available when Indiana is experiencing very high rates of unemployment. During these times, the state and federal government will activate extended benefit programs, and mail out notifications to the claimants who are eligible to receive extended benefits.

If you are unsure whether you are be eligible for an unemployment compensation extension, you can contact your unemployment counselor to check on which extended benefits programs are available to you.

Former Emergency Unemployment Compensation Programs

At times, the federal or state governments establish an unemployment benefits extension program. For instance, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program temporarily gave qualified workers additional weeks of unemployment payment in 2008, but it expired in 2013. And in 2020, the federal government initiated the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, which ended in 2021.

In general, if you reach the limit on all of your regular unemployment benefits, you do not have to apply for an unemployment benefits extension because the system automatically applies for you, if you are eligible. If you are approaching the limit of your unemployment benefits, contact your employment counselor to see if an unemployment extension is available to you.

Federal-State Extended Duration in Indiana

Another unemployment extension program is the Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED), also called Extended Benefits (EB). Unemployment beneficiaries can only qualify for EB unemployment benefits extension if they have exhausted all of their regular unemployment benefits.

If you qualify for an EB unemployment extension, you will receive additional benefits in the amount of 20 weeks or 80 percent of the maximum benefit amount on the original unemployment claim, whichever amount is less.

Remember, these unemployment extension programs are only available during high unemployment periods. If you are eligible for an unemployment extension, the government will notify you by mail.

Last Updated: February 28, 2023